Fare Thee Well

It has been quite some time since anything has been posted on this blog. Thought I would make one final entry before closing this out. This past October 16th we, Buck & Nelson, played our final concert together. It was at Unicoi State Park Lodge and we were very happy to see some old friends in attendance, including a couple who were around when we were still part of the Blood Mountain Boys. Brought back some good memories.

As previously noted, David has decided to retire from performing and Nelson is performing as a solo act. It is very different not having David standing onstage and not getting to hear his outstanding instrumental breaks. I do still enjoy playing though and continue to work to make my solo show as good as I possibly can. The Buck & Nelson website has now been disabled, though it took me 2 tries to make it. Those who are interested can keep up at www.nelsonthomas.net

I am working on a solo CD, though I may have some friends sit in as guest musicians on a few tracks, which I hope to have out this year (possibly by the end of the summer). I have now got my microphones worked out for recording and have narrowed down my list of songs to include, and started initial recording. I still need to have some pictures taken to use on the cover and work on the cover layout and design. My nephew, Matthew, is an artist and graphic designer and has said he would help with this part.

It was a long and fun road, though all good things will someday end. David and I have been friends since high school, and have been playing music together since about 1972 and performing together in some fashion since 1974. So, I want to say to David (Buck) thank you for the company, for the music, and for the efforts to make us the best we could be. I will cherish the years we spent performing even as I travel on alone. All the best and Fare Thee Well in all you do.

See you down the road.

Nelson

Mountain Heritage Festival

This weekend was the Mountain Marketplace and Heritage Festival in Blairsville, GA. We were scheduled to play at 2:40 pm on Sunday afternoon. The weather was perfect and the crowd was good.

This weekend was also the Atlanta Cup in youth Soccer. Vincent, my son, was playing in that with his team from NASA (North Atlanta Soccer Association). We went down to Stone Mountain on Friday night. His first game was at 9:30 am on Saturday, but he had to be there at 8:45. Then another game at 3:30 pm. On Sunday, he was playing at 11:00 am. I got up and ate breakfast. About 9:30 am , I headed for Blairsville getting home around 12:30.

My cognition of time is less than ever since my stroke last year, but then I never paid as close attention as I should. This day was to be one of those. I ate a little lunch, sat in my chair watching TV, and fell asleep. I woke up, looked at the clock and it was 2:35. I quickly checked my phone for missed calls, put on my shirt and started out the door. Just as I was leaving, the phone rang. It was David calling to say we we playing right then. I told him I was on my way, which is about a 10 minute drive. I went wheeling into the festival and up to the porch where we were to play. Thankfully, Sam Ensley had the group after us to play during our schedule slot.

I found David, then went to tune up and get ready. The program itself seemed to go pretty well. David did more of the talking than usual, though he has before also. Alex Tomlinson played the whole set with us, which was a treat. Then we had Sam Ensley to come up for the last third of the program and play mandolin as well. It was nice to play as a band again, though I have come to enjoy the challenges and rewards of playing as a duo. Some different sounds when you have more of a band going. We could almost be accused of playing bluegrass again for a little while. Just needed a bass player. Rusty where were you?

I may have more time playing solo than in a band, esp. if I don't get my timing better. Not only did David beat me to the Venue, but Debra came with him this time. Bad time for me to be late. Oh well, when you make a mistake, admit it and try to move on. I did and am.

We'll see you down the road. I may be a little late, but I will be there. :)

Nelson

We are still here

I have not been too faithful in writing new posts for this blog and I apologize for that. We are about to get into the heart of our picking year, and into the heat as well. Yesterday was the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. It has been hot for a couple of weeks already and feels more like north Florida than north Georgia, though we have had more cooling at night than they get in north Florida. When it is this warm though, I like to feel an ocean breeze.

Yes I do enjoy the beach and the ocean. I went a lot when I was growing up and once thought I would like to live on or near the beach. As I got older, I fell in love with the Rockies and my dream changed. I still enjoy the beach, but have been much more of a mountain person than a beach person. Of course, all you need to do is listen to some Jimmy Buffett and you want to go back and get into the waves, or on them.

I haven't gotten my canoe yet, but am hopeful to find one before the end of the summer. I find it very enjoyable to paddle a canoe and relaxing, though it may be more of a workout for me now than it was when I owned one before. Either way, I look forward to it.

Friday night we play at the old Union County Courthouse and it is supposed to be filmed, so I hope we are ready and that we have a good crowd. Later in the summer we are scheduled to do a TV program in Ellijay also, so maybe we can add a couple more YouTube videos this summer.

Come out and see us whenever you can. And bring friends.

See you down the road,
Nelson

Hello 2010

Another year with all its promise and days to look forward to. Time to start planning for a year of picking and other activities.

We have a few dates set up for the year, but just beginning to have a calendar going for the year. Have to decide what is going to happen to set the rest of the year. We haven't played anywhere since October 27th and have only practiced together once.

David admitted before we practiced that it would not take him much to just stop performing. I hope he doesn't follow through on that, as he is such an excellent picker, not to mention musical partner and friend for me. He took a couple of years off back in the late 1990's and I continued to perform as a solo act. He would often show up at my programs and then we would pick afterwards. There are things I enjoyed about performing solo, but I prefer performing as a duo.
We also need to finish our CD.

I am hoping to lay down some more tracks for the CD this weekend. We will see how that goes. I have been able to work a lot more since our practice session last week. It has reignited my picking fire and I hope it has done the same for David.

I even played for the social at Branan Lodge yesterday. I managed to get through the songs and even some flatpicking.

It is a time to look forward and things I would like to do. I would like to get another canoe. I enjoyed canoing so much when I was younger. It is such a great way to go down a river or to float on a lake. So quiet and soothing. It can be work, but is more fun than work.

I have been interested in sailing for a few years also. I like the non motorized types of travel on water I guess. It would be great to have a small sailboat, maybe a dinghy type boat that could hold 3 or 4 people and sail on the lakes around here. Almost found one on Craig's list last month, but it was gone when I got with them.

The other thing I am looking at is getting a motorcycle. I had a Harley Sportster from 1974 until around 1981, after my first son was born. I love riding motorcycles and since my youngest son has taken my vehicle after turning 16 last year, I need something to get to work with and other places. This winter would be rough, but I could stand a motorcycle for most of the year, at least 3 seasons. So I am on the hunt, and hunting for some money or financing at the same time. I have had a long love affair with motorcycles, which I am sure I got from my dad, who had one when he was young also. He got an old motorcycle, when I was quite young and we still lived in the first house in Morganton. We moved from there when I was 10 years old, so it was before then. This motorcycle, which he said was mine, had a belt on it to crank it. He took the belt off and I could push it up the hill beside the house and then ride it down the little hill. I never got to ride it when it was cranked, though my dad did and also rode me on it. When I was 13, I got a Honda Trail 90 motorcycle which I rode all over the yard and neighboring areas. I learned to hillclimb with it and even to jump it a little bit. I still own that motorcycle, though it isn't running.

I sold it a few years ago to my uncle for him to ride with his youngest son. He already had a Trail 90 that he had bought about the same time I got mine. He kept it a couple of years and then I bought it back. When I got it back, the tool kit was gone and it would not crank. I need to take it to the cycle shop and get it running again. I have a son who could be riding it now.

Still I want a street bike to use. I have seen some nice bikes that I would enjoy. I really want another Harley and have seen a few Sportsters that are reasonable. Maybe something will work out this spring.

The other thing I have though of for a lot of my life is flying. I have looked at getting my Private Pilots license since I was in my teens and keep putting it off. I once had enough money saved to get me through soloing (at the time). Then the Minolta camera I wanted went on sale and I bought it instead. The flying got put way back on the back burner. David has never been real interested in flying, though his dad flew a small plane for several years and loved it. I think that is part of the problem for him, as he was in the plane and saw some of the problems of landing a small plane in a strong cross wind.

When I had my stroke this summer, I figured this dream was ended. Still I decided to check the medical requirements and found that the stroke would not keep me from getting my license. So My interest is piqued again. I have sent for some information from Sporty's Pilot Shop and should get that right away. We'll have to see if this dream is followed through on or postponed again.

In the meantime, I need to get busy setting up places to play. To do that, I need to clear with Buck if he will be willing to play on them as well.

See you down the road. Keep the rubber side down and the shiny side up.

Lions and tigers and BEARS Oh my!

Happy new years eve everyone. Something has been on my mind for a few days and kind of crystalized this morning.

I am loving living out of town again. It is great to see the deer a they come around the house. It is better to hear about the wildcats, raccoons, and bears that have been seen around. All my life I have been drawn to bears and I am not sure why.

Maybe it is that they seem to represent wildness and wilderness to me. I remember seeing them in the smokies as I was camping with my family, and my dad was scoutmaster. The bears would show up in the evenings. I have one particular memory of my dad having to chase one out of our truck cab with a bull whip. Other funnier memories as well, and some not quite as funny.

I seem to be simultaneously fearful and fascinated by bears. I have watched programs concerning black bears, grizzly bears, brown bears, russian bears, and polar bears on any channel that would show them. They just draw me to the TV and I have to sit and try to learn.

There have been a few occasions when I have happened upon a bear in the wild. It is always an exciting event for me, though I enjoy it more if I have a car around me, or even a glass window between me and them. I love knowing they are out there and around me, I am just not completely comfortable walking around with them.

There is some kinship I feel with bears for some reason. I sometimes think because of my Cherokee heritage that the bear is my spirit animal. No proof, just a thought and a feeling.

There are time periods that have always drawn me as well. One is the Rocky Mountain Man era. My favorite movie is Jeremiah Johnson and I even have 50 cal. Hawken rifle. Sometimes I have thought I was born too late, usually though, I feel I was born just at the right time. The other era that draws me is the WWII era. I love the big band music of that time and always watch the movies from that time as well. I once had someone tell me that I probably had a very good life during that time, which is what draws me to it. I don't know about that, but I do know I get a special feeling inside when I read about, hear about, or watch a movie about either of those time periods.

Maybe it is the wildness and uncertainty of the times that draws me in. Something important was happening of which the final outcome was not assured. Well this has gotten a little ways from the subject of bears. SO, let me go back to saying how much I enjoy being in an area that has so much wild country that bears are able to live, roam, and prosper. I hope it remains that way for a longtime.

See you down the road.

Nelson

Hitting the Trail

When I was a younger man, I did a lot of hiking and backpacking. As a Boy Scout, we went often on the Appalachian Trail, something I loved and have talked of the rest of my life (so Far). When Patrick and Caroline were both young, we still got out and did a lot of hiking, but mostly day or afternoon hikes.

I once ached to hike the entire trail. I would still like to do that, but now think more of doing it in small sections and not all at once. Of course, Granny Gatewood first did a through hike of the trail when she was 67 years old. She then through hiked it two more times. Who knows what the future may hold.

For years, I have talked of getting back to my backpacking days. Patrick and I talked of it often when he was a teenager and planned to go together. The thing is when you want to reach a goal, you need to make that goal real and you need to write it down. We did not do that. Recently, I have been talking to Vincent about getting out and hiking and backpacking. Last year, we planned to do more. We did less. This year I have talked to both Vincent and Patrick. Time to write it down and make it real. I have written it in my notebook, I have told, Vincent, Patrick, and Shelley. Now I will put it here for anyone to see. Then I must start planning dates to hike and get them on my calendar. Maybe I will even get Buck (David) to go on some of these. He has gone on a few hikes with me over the years, and others on his own.

I have hiked all of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia except the section between Coopers Gap in Suches and Springer Mountain, the southern Terminus of the trail. I have also hiked about 30 miles in North Carolina. Our goal is to hike all of the AT in Georgia between now and June. We will start with shorter hikes and day hikes, then move to the overnighters. It has been a while and I know I need a new sleeping pad, as I am not as good on hard ground as I once was.

Shelley hiked a lot in the Rockies and has said she would like to hike with us as well. However, I know that she will only make the day hikes in the winter, then only if it is warm enough for her (which is pretty warm). Same thing with Caroline.

Since my stroke this summer, there have been small changes in my ways of doing things. Shelley says that I get something on my mind and forget everything else. I have always tended to do that, but maybe I have gotten a little worse. It is hard for me to tell. Right now, I am thinking of hiking, in case you haven't noticed.

The last 2 weeks, I have increasingly kept up my walking each day. At home, I hike to the top of the subdivision, or past that on toward the top of the mountain behind it. It isn't far, but it is a tough hike. The first part is a gradual uphill climb. About 1/4 mile up, the grade goes to about 30 or 35% and the hard part hits. Near the top it gets back to a more gradual uphill. By the time I make the round trip, I have had a good workout. Lately I have started to wear my daypack to increase my workout. Soon, I will change to my backpack. And I will likely wear my backpack, loaded, when I go on day hikes to prepare for my overnights. The days I work, I have a morning and afternoon break. At those times I take a walk of about 1 to 1.25 miles and do it in approximately 15 minutes. Those are speed days, the others are work days.

This afternoon's walk reminded me of something I don't always think about. Each season in the woods has its own special feel about it. There are certain sounds and smells that come with each time of year. I don't always think of them, but I certainly remember them when I get out in the woods during that time of year. It is a very familiar thing.

The easiest to tell about is the winter. There is a real quietness to the woods when there is a blanket of snow on the ground. and even when it is just snowing. The smell is fresh usually. If it is a warm winter day, there will be smell of mildew and decayed leaves. Early and mid fall has a real dry leaf crunch and swoosh when you walk through. Plus a smell of dust from the falling leaves. Late fall, has a quieter swoosh and the smell of decaying leaves, along with some hint of mildew from leaves that have been wet. Spring and summer has similar sounds, but with different smells depending on what is budding and blooming at the time. The other thing you might pick up is the smell of certain animals that are in the area, esp. skunks or even bears.

For me there are a few places and things I do that refresh my spirit. One of those is performing music, one has been driving, and the one I have done the longest and always works is getting out in the woods. That can be hiking, backpacking, picnicking, canoing or just sitting. I love being outdoors.

I used to canoe a lot also, and hope to get another canoe before this summer. Then we can add those trips to the hiking trips. I'll update here as we make progress. Whatever makes you happy, I hope you are able to do as much as possible.

I walk to lose weight; I walk to keep my sugar level low; and I walk because I like to walk. Maybe I should go walkabout.

See you down the road, or trail.

Nelson H Thomas

First of Autumn

From my childhood this time of year has brought on special feelings within me. There is a little melancholy at seeing the summer end, an excitement as I feel the change of season and look forward to a winter with (hopefully) some nice snowy days. There are also feelings of accomplishment as I think of the time of harvest. It is a season of memories also. Memories of the just past summer and summers before. Memories of growing up around a farm, where the hay was put in the barn, hogs were killed on a frosty morning, and we started using heat in the house for the season. I remember the wood burning stove that was in the living room. It was later changed to an oil burning stove, which seemed to be more efficient.

The weather in the fall always makes me feel better. Nice cool and even frosty mornings, warming enough to just wear short sleeves by the afternoon, and then cooling back down in the evenings. The days get shorter, so you come into the house sooner and spend time as a family. Of course, these days, it seems that tv and the computer invade that family time. I have to watch myself with both of these activities, as they tend to draw me in for hours at a time if I am not careful. Then I feel like kicking myself for all the time I have wasted.

It is much better when I pick up my guitar, banjo, or other instrument and do some picking.

While I think the weather is the biggest part of my affinity for the fall, I also think part of it comes from growing up basically on a farm and knowing the satisfaction of the season of harvest, and also for the knowledge of another change of season and looking forward to Thanksgiving (I was born on Thanksgiving) and Christmas. Also, there are the wonderful memories of riding around the mountains to see all the leaf colors with my parents and sisters as we grew up.

I have spent a lot of my life outdoors in some fashion or the other, and what can be better than walking or hiking through the woods as a multitude of different colored leaves cling to the trees and carpet the ground. There is that neat, crisp, sound of newly fallen leaves as you walk through them. That becomes silent after a winter of ice and water softens them down.

Cool and even frosty mornings, followed by afternoons that are warm enough for short sleeves, but not so warm to cause a lot of sweating. So what is not to like about fall. It is also the time you can begin to enjoy sitting by a fire, either outside or a fireplace. It is also a time that causes me to spend time contemplating and remembering. Remembering warm and wonderful memories of things that have happened in my life. A time for contemplating on those things that just feed my soul and give a deep and abiding joy in my life.

I hope you have a great fall, and enjoy it almost as much as I do. Now, to be able to get back outside and enjoy this thing called Autumn.

I, Hillbilly

Those who know me at all, know that I often proudly refer to myself as a hillbilly. I will also reference in our shows that we are certified hillbillies, or at least certifiable.
Some may wonder why I do that, when so many people use the term hillbilly as an insult and as a reference to someone who is uncouth, uncultured, and ignorant.
The answer to that is that I know the truth about hillbillies, at least those in the part of the hills I grew up in. I know that these people, called hillbillies, are the hardy descendants of Scot, Irish, and Scot-Irish immigrants who drifted to these remote hills that reminded them of their homeland. They were and are some of the most independent, hard working, hospitable, caring, and inventive people I know of.
This was a remote and fairly sparsely settled part of the world until recently. Here in Union County, there was not a paved road until the 1950's. I grew up in the adjoining county of Fannin until I started high school. I remember when my dad built an indoor bathroom. I remember getting our first telephone when I was in the first grade. The language is very different now that it was when I was growing up also. Radio first and then television have brought the world to us and there is not the strong localized language and sayings that were once so prevalent. I do remember being surprised that there was not an 'r' in warsh (Wash). Though I will say that my immediate family was more traveled and did not speak in the same way as many of the people I went to school with. My dad was in WWII and then traveled with business throughout the US, and would often take us with him. He felt is was important for us to know more about the world and the people beyond the little patch of mountains we lived in. I have tried to pass that attitude along to my children. I love these southern mountains, but believe it is important that we look beyond them sometimes to get perspective. In fact, by the time I started high school, I had been in 23 states, the District of Columbia, Mexico and Canada. So I was shocked in high school to learn I had classmates that had never been out of Union County. They had not even traveled the 10 or less miles from their house to the state line or county line. It was almost inconceivable to me at the time, and still is. There is nothing wrong with that, just that it was hard to understand within the way I was raised. I still love to travel and my children have learned that and are becoming pretty well traveled. In some cases beyond what I have done. My daughter even lived for 3 years in Hong Kong and taught in a school there.
Those who want to put down hillbillies, would be surprised at the number of influential and celebrated people who have come out of this isolated area. There has been state supreme court justices, state school superintendents, a renowned poet, educators, bankers, politicians, and all sorts of businessmen and women. Of course, in my line of interest, there has also been truckloads of musicians that came out of these hills.
So, I continue to proudly proclaim my hillbilly status and roots. We are what we are, so we should accept and celebrate those traits that make us that way.
See you down the road.
Nelson

I Believe

I received this in a forwarded e-mail and thought it was too good not to share. I really liked several of these and hope you enjoy them.

Nelson

I Believe,

A birth certificate shows that we were born; a death certificate shows that we died; pictures show that we lived!

I believe - That just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.

I believe - That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

I believe - That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I believe - That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

I believe - That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

I believe - That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I believe - That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I believe - That you can keep going long after you think you can't.

I believe - That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I believe - That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I believe - That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I believe - That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I believe - That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.

I believe - That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I believe - That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I believe - That it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I believe - That no matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I believe - That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I believe - Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I believe - That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.

I believe - That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.

I believe - That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I believe - That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

I believe - The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have. 'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you."

Father's Day Surprise

The subject of this post, may sound different than it actually is. The surprise I got had nothing to do with Father's Day, just that it happened on that day.

On the Saturday before Father's Day we drove to my daughter's house in Athens. The plan was to work some in her Attic to prepare for putting some plywood there as a flooring for storage of several boxes of her memorabilia that is currently stored in our basement. Patrick, our oldest, planned to join us and help. The weekend weather was extremely hot and as it happened, the AC went out at her house. With the heat as it was, we decided to avoid the attic completely.

Sunday afternoon, my wife decided that I was acting less normal than usual (later she has said that it started on Saturday). Of the things that she has noted was that I was not doing the things I normally did as we prepared to leave, but also was doing what she told me to without any argument. The gist of it all was that she decided I needed to see a doctor. The choices was the ER in Athens, in Gaines ville, or in Blairsville. She talked with my younger sister, who is an ER nurse in Gainesville and we ended up at the ER in Gaines ville.

They took blood and gave me several types of tests. Then I was taken to have a CT Scan. Surprise to me and to them, the CT showed that I had experienced a stroke. Later I had an MRI, which confirmed that diagnosis and gave more information concerning what had happened. I then spent two nights in the hospital as they continued to check me, give me fluids, and tried to make sure I was continuing to do well.

Later, my sister got a copy of the results of the MRI. It was an eye opener to me and proof that God is watching over me. As the doctor told her, I took a pretty good hit. The good news was that it was the best kind of stroke to have, if you have one at all. The other good news was that it did not affect me at all physically or in my speech or any of the other classic signals of stroke. The bottom line is that it hit in the cognitive areas of my brain.

Last week I went to see a neurologist. He sent me to have a post stroke assessment at the rehabilitation center. I told David that I must be a real musician now that I have been sent to rehab. The assessment went very well and I am going back for another session on Friday afternoon.

There are some things I have learned since this happened. I don't like being sick, I don't like people treating me as if I am sick. I understand my dad's frustration with having everyone you see asking how you are doing. I appreciate knowing they are concerned, but I feel fine and don't notice any difference. It is also very strange to admit that, yes, I had a stroke. That is something you think of happening to older people and something that is very serious and even life threatening. But it happened to me. Yes it is serious and it concerns me. I am now on blood pressure medicine, blood thinner, and cholesterol medicine, even though my cholesterol was in good shape when they checked it. However, the neurologist said that since I have had a stroke they would want my cholesterol to be even lower than they would normally want it to be.

The key now, I guess, is to take care of myself without becoming too pessimistic or scared of what might or might not happen. I want to live while I am living. I hope the next Father's Day surprise I have has more to do with my children and them getting me outdoors for a hike, a canoe trip, a camping trip, or some other activity that I love.

Nelson

Roots & Music

We had the opportunity to open the Roots & Music Festival in Hiawassee, GA this year. It was nice to be on the Anderson Music Hall Stage and to share the stage with some wonderful acts.



The Festival was held on Friday and Saturday, June 5 & 6th. Our program began at 6:00 pm on Friday. There was a good crowd and we had a nice set. The response to us was great and enjoyble for us. Later we had the opportunity to listed to Irons in the Fire, Dale Ann Bradley, IBMA Female Vocalist of the year for the past two years, and the Seldom Scene, a band that has been around and well known as long as we have been picking , which started in the early 1970's.

Saturday had a great lineup and I am sorry to say I missed it. I started to the festival when my vehicle broke down. It turned out to be a fuel pump that was the problem. There were a few acts that I really wanted to see, including the final act of Dan Tyminski. Hearing from some who were able to attend, I missed a great day of music.

The people putting on the festival were excellent to work with. I appreciate the efforts of everyone, and especially the sound crew. It was wonderful to be a part of this festival and to have the opportunity to perform at Anderson Music Hall.

Memorial Weekend Concert 2009

We hope everyone enjoyed their Memorial Weekend and are having a good Memorial Day. I also hope you take few minutes to reflect on the true meaning of the day.

Saturday night we had the privilege of kicking off the summer concert season at Unicoi State Park in Helen. We have played many times at Unicoi and it is always a pleasure to play there. Jessica, Smith, Ellen and all the others are always helpful and friendly. They promote the shows and have not only the guests of the park attending, but residents of the surrounding area as well.
Over the years we have played just about everywhere they have had music at Unicoi. In the campground area, we have played on the old back deck of the trading post, in the room in the back of the Trading Post, at the amphitheater, on the porch of the log cabin, and even on the old kiosk that has now been removed. We have played for several groups at the beach house and even a couple down at the meadow near the staff housing. The lodge has become one of the best places of all. While we have had the chance to play in most of the meeting rooms and some of the lobby areas, Master's Hall seems to be the best area to get everyone in (though A,B,C of the Logo Lobby is pretty good as well).

This weekend's concert was held in Master's Hall 1 & 2. We had a crowd of over 200. It was good to see the numbers up again. Hopefully they will have good crowds all summer. If you get a chance, go see some of their acts. We will be back again before the end of the summer as well.

See you down the road.

Nelson

Playing Solo

There is a little different way of thinking when you are playing a solo program as compared to playing a program with someone else. It is different with a duo or trio as compared to a full band as well. I have played several solo gigs over the years, and there are things I enjoy about doing this.

The picking and instrumentation is often different when playing solo than it is when you have someone else playing along. You have to make sure to keep some rhythm going while playing a melody. It is often a chance to do some songs that we do not normally do as a duo. It is also a time to try out things that I think are fun or just want to see how they go over. Of course, I do some of that when we play as a duo as well.

While I enjoy doing solo programs all along, I do not really want to do them all the time. I enjoy the give and take of playing in a duo or even a trio (though it has been quite a while since we played in a trio). There are things we can to together that is just not possible when playing alone. Additionally, I find an extra energy to a program with more than one personality involved. Not to mention how good a picker Buck is.

The first of this month I played at a festival in TN. Because Buck had to be somewhere else, I played solo. This was the first time in a while that I had played alone. The first day went well enough, though I was trying to get my solo feet back under me. The next day I was more relaxed and at least had more fun myself. I wasn't on the listening side, but I did feel it was a few steps ahead of the program from the day before.

An extra gift for me from this festival was the chance to see Steve Kaufman perform. I even had a chance to meet and talk with him for a while. I have followed his career along since he won the Flatpicking Contest in Winfield several years ago, and was glad to have the chance to finally hear him in person. It was a good evening.

Full bands are enjoyable to listen to, especially those that have played together enough to really perform and play relaxed and tight. However, it seems that the groups I most often want to hear these days are solo, duo, or trio. Not to say there aren't bands out there that I will go a long way to listen to, but there is something about the sound of a small group that I find particularly appealing.

Nelson

Traveling to Gigs

I enjoy traveling and seeing other parts of the country and the world. I have tried to do that every chance I get. Sometimes I get a lot of chances, sometimes not many at all. There are times when I combine some travels with performances, and that can be a lot of fun as well.

Saturday we traveled up into Tennessee for a program. Not a long distance, but a few hours from home. There is often some benefits to traveling some distance to a gig. We have the opportunity to discuss things concerning our music and plans we may have. There is also time to brainstorm, listen to CD's of other artists, work on singing new and old songs, and at times to listen to one of our own shows to see what we like and what we want to work on.

On the trip Saturday, we talked quite a bit about several aspects of our music. All the time there were CD's playing. Sometimes we let the music be background, then a song would come up that we wanted to concentrate on. One somewhat humorous thing that happened along with that was as we crossed into Tennessee. Just before reaching the state line, we were listening to a Norman Blake CD and he changed songs just as we were getting to the line. The song he started was "Columbus Stockade Blues" and as we crossed the line, he sang 'wish I was back in Tennessee'. He was wishing and we were there.

The traveling is enjoyable, or at least can be. Of course, the best part is getting to perform music for an audience that wants to listen. As Doc Watson says, 'it is like a warm handshake multiplied by all the people applauding'. I like to think it is a mutually beneficial activity. I know I benefit from it and feel better for days after a good program.

See you down the road.

Nelson

April Snows

The snow came during the evening and last night, and still it snows a little this morning. There is something about snow that is alluring to me. It makes me happy, it makes me melancholy, it makes me feel alive, and it makes me think. Spring snows are a quickly vanishing act as well. The ground is so warm that they melt quickly here.

Saturday night we played for a group outside. We were in our shirtsleeves and quite warm at 8:30 pm. Then last night (Monday) we played for a group inside with the snow falling outside. The weather has been just a little volatile in the last couple of days.

I enjoy winter and summer. I love fall, and love spring almost as much as fall. This is a time to get the picking juices going for a season full of picking and performing. I hope you have a great season and we get to see you somewhere down the road.

Nelson

In Like a Lion

March has been described as either "in like a lion, out like a lamb", or "in like a lamb, out like a lion". This year it came in like a lion. Sunday was rainy, windy, winter mix, and some snow.

Living in the highest mountains of north Georgia, our weather has always been more like southern Virginia than Georgia. Over the last several years, it has steadily gotten much warmer overall than the type of weather I grew up with.

Up until around 1980 the weather patterns in this part of the world were pretty much the same. In the summer we would get some pretty warm (hot) days in July and August - sometimes in the upper 90 degrees. However, every night it would cool down considerably. Most nights it would be down to around 60 degrees are below. Very few nights that you did not want a blanket or quilt before morning if you left the windows open. In the winter, we would get at least 3 or 4 snows that were 3 inches deep and a couple more that would be 6 inches deep or more. Then we would have a few more dustings of up to an inch or so. There would be some warm days in the winter, but there would also be spells of freezing temperatures that would allow several lakes to freeze over enough to walk on.

Spring and fall were definite and separate seasons. In fact, each season was roughly the same length of time it seemed. Those spring and fall times were marked with cool to warm days and nights that might show a little frost, or almost to frost temps. Certainly, there is always a little bit of romanticizing when you look back at the times of your youth and childhood - at least for most of us. However, I do have some hard information on these weather patterns.

My dad ran a real estate business for many years - he was the first in the area, and the largest. A part of his advertising was on the climate of the cool mountains. In order to back that up, we had information from the weather service showing the type climate we were enjoying.

This Sunday, the first of March, was a different day though. Here in the mountains, at a base elevation of almost 2,000', we were not getting hardly any snow. Oh there was some on the mountain tops, but not in the valleys and not in town. A winter weather advisory for almost half of the state of Georgia and we in the area with a climate more like southern Virginia were getting shut out. It did snow for about an hour with big, pretty flakes. But the ground was so wet and warm that it melted as fast as it came down.

In the Atlanta area and especially farther east in Athens, GA there was snow in plenty. My daughter, who is now living in Athens, was getting the snow. They got almost 6" before it was over with. While the snow was beautiful, it was wet and heavy. This caused some big limbs and more than a few trees to come down. Luckily she had no damage at her house. Just some limbs to clean up, and a couple of hours without electricity.

I couldn't let all the snow just pass me by though. So I took a ride up to Neel's Gap in the afternoon to see the snow on the mountain. I did take a few pictures and will add them if they come out decent. I enjoy the winter too much not to go see the snow when I had the chance.

I hope you are having a good winter and looking forward the spring. It will be here soon. In the meantime, pray for snow. See you down the road.

Nelson

Meeting other Musicians

This past Sunday, January 25th, we had the opportunity to attend a house concert by Wil Maring and Robert Bowlin in Gainesville, GA. They did an outstanding job and I recommend you go see them if you get the chance. Until you can see them in person, check them out on YouTube and MySpace. Wil and Robert are outstanding examples of being not only world class musicians, but also great people.

I love performing every chance we get. It is a lot of fun to interact with an audience while doing something you love. The only disadvantage of performing regularly, at least to my thinking, is that you do not often get the chance to hear many other musicians in person. When you are playing a festival or event with musicians other than yourself you may have that opportunity. Many times though, you are warming up, cooling down, or talking with others while they are playing. Still you try to hear as many as you can, and there are some who you will make an extra effort to go and see.

We have had the chance to meet and hear many musicians over the years. Some are famous, some are a little infamous, and some are neither of the above. It is always nice to get to hear good musicians, and a privilege when you to get to talk with them as well. While you often hear of musicians that are demanding and hard to get along with, that has not been my experience overall. I have found the majority to be very friendly and open. They are people who enjoy what they do and are happy to share that experience with others.

My intent here is not to just drop names and make it sound like I am friends with a lot of well known folks, because I really am not. However, I do want to express how many outstanding and even famous musicians are also good, approachable people. While I will list some names, it is by no means complete, and I will likely need to add others over time. If any of this sounds like bragging, it is about them and not about me or us.

A couple of years ago we had the privilege of meeting Jim Hurst at a festival and spending an afternoon visiting with him and listening to him perform. I do not believe you will find a better guitarist than he is. There are many excellent pickers, but I don't think you can find one any better all around. Yet he listened to us and treated us as peers, giving his thoughts and asking about ours. I have had the chance talk to him a couple of times since and am always impressed with what a decent and real person he is. Then I listen to him pick and am just blown away.

Another festival gave us the chance to meet and spend some time with Mike Cross. He is as friendly and fun offstage as he is on. And what a performer, songwriter, and picker he is. Be sure to see him as well. We even managed to get a picture made with him and put on our website.

We have also had a few chances to talk with Norman Blake after his shows and have been impressed with his willingness to visit with fans. This is another legendary guitarist and decent human being. This past summer I had the chance to talk some with Mark Schatz. We have followed him and his music for years, having heard him shortly before he joined the Tony Rice Unit. His bass playing has always been phenomenal and now I know more of his banjo picking and dancing. If you don't know him, or have only heard about him, look him up and have a musical treat for yourself.

Maybe it is that the type music we listen to and enjoy so much is populated with people who are very approachable and personable. Outstanding musicians and people as well. Whatever it is, I recommend you make to effort to say hello to these folks that you have enjoyed listening to. You may be surprised at how welcome you will be made to feel.

Nelson

Practice

Practice is a small word that conjures up certain feelings within almost everyone. The feelings or thoughts associated with it have a lot to do with each persons past experience(s).

One of the first things many people associate with practice is about some type of sport. Every sport has regular practices scheduled before a game or competition. This is necessary for the athletes to learn their sport sufficiently to compete. It is really the same for any endeavor you become involved in, though you may not think of it as practice. Maybe it is your job and you are just thinking of it as working on your job and slowly becoming more proficient and efficient. When in school you think of your work in math, science, and other subjects as homework. Much of it is practice to help you learn and retain the lessons you need to master in order to move on to more complicated levels.

So why am I thinking of practice today? Mainly because we had another good practice session last night. Also because it is a necessary part of playing and performing music. How much you perform often determines how much you need to practice. As you are first learning to play, you have to spend a lot of time practicing, or woodshedding. When you start performing regularly, there is less time to spend in formal practice, though a certain amount is still needed to upgrade your music and add new songs.

Just about everyone has heard the old saying that practice makes perfect. An update to that is that perfect practice makes perfect. Relating this to music I find one of my favorite quotes from Doc Watson, who said, "If you want to play like an angel, you need to practice like the devil".

If I could have heard how I play today when I first began playing an instrument, I would have thought how happy I would be to play that well. Today though, I find that I have a long way to go to be where I really want to be. That is okay though because I am still playing, I am still learning, and I am still enjoying it. And I am still practicing.

A few times over the years I have taught some basic lessons on the guitar and banjo. Part of my advice to everyone is to enjoy the journey. If all you want to do is be on stage playing great music, you are not likely to make it. You need to enjoy all the time you have with an instrument. I once heard that you can tell a real musician because they are happy playing whether they have an audience or not. I think that is true to a point. I have had many great times playing alone or with a few other people. However, there is a special warmth and satisfaction achieved when performing for an appreciative audience. There is a real give and take that benefits both sides of the stage. So, at least for me, I need to have both the private times to play as well as the times to perform.

David and I have been practicing and performing together for most of the past 36 years. He started a little before me, but we got more serious about it around the same time. The first couple of years were spent learning basics in my parents basement. We listened to a lot of good music and were especially motivated by John Denver, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Flatt & Scruggs, and Doc Watson, as well as many singer/songwriters, bluegrass, and traditional bands.

We lived about 200 yards apart (when home from college) when we were first beginning. Later I bought a cabin near Vogel and David lived at Tugaloo State Park and then Unicoi State Park. We got together regularly with others in a band we had formed to practice and perform. Many nights were spent awake and playing in that old cabin. Many wonderful memories were established.

For the past several years, we have lived a little over 60 miles apart and usually alternate going to each others house to practice. We take some times off for family and other things we need to take care of, but then get back to our practice and perform schedule. Most times we want to get together at least once a week for a practice or a performance. Life would be a little (lot) less enjoyable for me without the music involved. There have been times that I thought I should stop playing because it takes up so much time. But that is just not a realistic idea, as it turns out.

Our last two practice sessions have felt extra productive. It may because we are in one of those

breakthrough times, or it may be due to the fact that we did not practice at all over the Christmas holiday season. Whatever the reason, I like it.

Our practice finished last night just a little before midnight (about the time I had told my wife I would be home). As we were packing up, we discussed the idea that we better love playing music. Otherwise it would just be too much work. The truth is that we were both on a little bit of a high from having had a really good practice. It was one of those times that you feel elated on what you have accomplished and what you see as possible for the near future. There are times you feel frustrated, but this was not one of them.

Of course we love playing music. If not, there is no way we could still be doing so after all these years. And certainly not with the enthusiastic outlook for doing even more. I have often said that there are many, many people who can play better than I do. However, I know that there is no one that enjoys it any more.

I hope you love your music, whether you are playing or listening. And I hope you are enjoying your practice - no matter what you are practicing. Have a good one and we will see you soon.

Nelson

Happy 2009

I hope everyone had a happy and safe New Year. Mine was somewhat subdued, but very enjoyable.

My youngest son, wife, and I went to some friends house to share a dinner and fellowship. There were about 5 families represented. It was a nice time to sit quietly and talk with one another. We did have on a football game that became a rout and required little attention. This was a very nice way to close out the year and I am thankful to have been among these friends.

We were back at our house before midnight. Vincent called Caroline and had her on speaker phone. They, along with their mother, did some Wii bowling as the year ended. I went to bed as I had to get up at 6:00 to be at work by 7:00. I managed to hear the New Year arrive as Vincent yelled Happy New Year to me! I think I mumbled it back to him and then went promptly to sleep. I had wished them a Happy New Year before going to bed as well.

I have great hopes for 2009 and I hope you do as well. It is nice to be able to celebrate the beginning of another year, though it is still hard for me to believe that we have already arrived at this point in time. It was just a couple of years ago that I was in college, but that has been more than 30 years ago now. Lots of good memories to recall since then. I am glad that we tend to remember the best things and not dwell on the others.

May you make great memories in 2009. I'll see you there.

Nelson

End of the Year - 2008

What a year this has been! As always there are good and bad that happens in a year. This one has been eventful to say the least. It has also been a busy one. If you have anything else you want to do in 2008, I strongly suggest you do so very soon. It is quickly coming to an end.

The end of the year is often a time for reflection. This is evidenced by the song "Auld Lang Syne" used for so long as the song to end one year and begin the next. It is more often thought of as the time for a new beginning and plans for the future. Think "Resolutions". The year outlasts most resolutions, but it is at least good to recognize the need to make changes for the better.

Last year David and I resolved to record a new CD. This year we are resolving to finish it. There are other resolutions, though I usually don't think of them as such. I like to think of them as plans, that way I don't feel like I have broken something when it comes later than anticipated. Plans can be changed or modified as needed, though they should never be changed just on a whim. Challenges that came up in 2008 caused some important plans to change, or really just be postponed until they can be completed properly.

Now don't start thinking that all plans and resolutions were broken or postponed. Many were realized and completed. Others were increased as we reached the point we had planned for. Now to work on the plans for the coming year.

We have already been booking programs for the coming year. There are more places to call and to book. I'll get back on that after the first of the year. Everyone is so busy with Christmas and New Year's that I think it is best to let them enjoy this season with all they already have to do.

January is set aside to work on finishing our CD. Keep an eye on our schedule though, you never know when a plan will change.

Have a safe and Happy New Year!

NHT